tyrantlytamale wrote:As an example, a JD is a route into the FBI. It opens a lot of other doors, too.

While it's possible to parlay a JD into the FBI, it isn't easy and it's probably not even the path of least resistance into the FBI. While a JD *can* open non-lawyer doors, it doesn't open them very wide so it's unlikely that you'd be able to use a JD to get through those doors.

tyrantlytamale wrote:I want to complete a JD, but I do not actually want to become an attorney afterward. Or a clerk. Or whatever. I don't want to practice law. I want to work in an investigative field. As an example, a JD is a route into the FBI. It opens a lot of other doors, too.

My question then, is how do I talk about this in a personal statement? Don't schools want you to really want to be a lawyer?

tyrantlytamale wrote:And I'm not planning on going to Harvard or Yale.

I don't see how this is relevant. You say this like not going to one of these schools means you don't have to be a lawyer after you graduate. If there was ever an argument for a law student who didn't really need to be a lawyer after school it would be from one of these two schools. And even then that wouldn't be the best plan.

Actually the FBI has very specific needs that they are looking for at any given time.

At one time that was either a JD or being a CPA. They do actually still like those but the door is open to a LOT of other paths as well now. Instead of spending the money on a JD going in the military in one of the investigative services will help just as much and they will pay you. (I mean the NCIS, OSI or CID and NOT being an MP) Civilian LE can also help as much as a JD. Being fluent in foreign languages can help as much as a JD if that language is Arabic or Farsi or something they need. (Also a cheaper route than a JD.)

I went a good ways through their hiring cycle way back when and decided I did NOT want to do that but there are many other routes that are less expensive.......

If you do write your law school personal statement based on the theme that you don't want to become a lawyer, then apply to reach schools emphasizing that you don't want to be accepted. Who knows--maybe reverse psychology will work with admissions.

It would probably be a good idea to leave that out. Also, take everything you read on here with a grain of salt. People on here tend to think they're all knowing and experts on everything relevant to the legal field. There probably are cheaper ways of getting into the FBI like the military, but that isn't easy to get into either.

This is from the FBI website:

9. Do certain degrees provide a more desirable educational background for the Special Agent position?The FBI does not recommend particular courses or schools. Any degrees that develop research and analytical skills are desirable educational backgrounds. For example, a Law degree is a desirable asset because Special Agents are charged with investigating violations of federal laws of the United States; an Accounting degree is also desirable because Special Agents trace financial transactions and review/analyze complex accounting records in criminal investigations; an Engineering degree is desirable because Special Agents often have to critically analyze large amounts of information in order to plan the next steps in an investigation; etc.

rglifberg wrote:It would probably be a good idea to leave that out. Also, take everything you read on here with a grain of salt. People on here tend to think they're all knowing and experts on everything relevant to the legal field. There probably are cheaper ways of getting into the FBI like the military, but that isn't easy to get into either.

This is from the FBI website:

9. Do certain degrees provide a more desirable educational background for the Special Agent position?The FBI does not recommend particular courses or schools. Any degrees that develop research and analytical skills are desirable educational backgrounds. For example, a Law degree is a desirable asset because Special Agents are charged with investigating violations of federal laws of the United States; an Accounting degree is also desirable because Special Agents trace financial transactions and review/analyze complex accounting records in criminal investigations; an Engineering degree is desirable because Special Agents often have to critically analyze large amounts of information in order to plan the next steps in an investigation; etc.

What that says to me is don't go to law school if you want to work for the FBI unless you're on a full ride. And even then, it's probably not worth the opportunity cost.

rglifberg wrote:It would probably be a good idea to leave that out. Also, take everything you read on here with a grain of salt. People on here tend to think they're all knowing and experts on everything relevant to the legal field. There probably are cheaper ways of getting into the FBI like the military, but that isn't easy to get into either.

This is from the FBI website:

9. Do certain degrees provide a more desirable educational background for the Special Agent position?The FBI does not recommend particular courses or schools. Any degrees that develop research and analytical skills are desirable educational backgrounds. For example, a Law degree is a desirable asset because Special Agents are charged with investigating violations of federal laws of the United States; an Accounting degree is also desirable because Special Agents trace financial transactions and review/analyze complex accounting records in criminal investigations; an Engineering degree is desirable because Special Agents often have to critically analyze large amounts of information in order to plan the next steps in an investigation; etc.

What that says to me is don't go to law school if you want to work for the FBI unless you're on a full ride. And even then, it's probably not worth the opportunity cost.

rglifberg wrote:It would probably be a good idea to leave that out. Also, take everything you read on here with a grain of salt. People on here tend to think they're all knowing and experts on everything relevant to the legal field. There probably are cheaper ways of getting into the FBI like the military, but that isn't easy to get into either.

This is from the FBI website:

9. Do certain degrees provide a more desirable educational background for the Special Agent position?The FBI does not recommend particular courses or schools. Any degrees that develop research and analytical skills are desirable educational backgrounds. For example, a Law degree is a desirable asset because Special Agents are charged with investigating violations of federal laws of the United States; an Accounting degree is also desirable because Special Agents trace financial transactions and review/analyze complex accounting records in criminal investigations; an Engineering degree is desirable because Special Agents often have to critically analyze large amounts of information in order to plan the next steps in an investigation; etc.

What that says to me is don't go to law school if you want to work for the FBI unless you're on a full ride. And even then, it's probably not worth the opportunity cost.

Wow you're really cool! You must be an FBI expert??????

They give three examples of getting into the FBI. Two of them involve a bachelor's degree that can be achieved cheaply at an in-state school and has strong job prospects in case the FBI doesn't work out. One of them is an expensive graduate degree that has weak job prospects unless you're going to a top school and even worse prospects if you don't want to work in that field. One of these things is not like the other...